Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Stop Ballroom Bribery Act
A Democratic bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Stop Ballroom Bribery Act aims to prevent corruption by limiting donations for specific public property and events. This includes maintenance or construction for property near the White House or Number One Observatory Circle. It also covers monuments for living Presidents, Vice Presidents, or presidential appointees. The bill places strict restrictions on who can donate and how those donations are handled. It requires specific approvals from the National Park Service and the Office of Government Ethics. Additionally, the act establishes transparency requirements and strict enforcement penalties.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates quarterly publication of donation details in the Federal Register and requires disclosure of communications with officials.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill enhances integrity and oversight for maintenance and construction on significant federal public lands.
- Scored +3
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill increases transparency regarding political influence and potential conflicts of interest involving federal government business.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -4
Would high-income households be better off under this?
The bill imposes significant restrictions, disclosure requirements, and lobbying bans on high-value donors.
- Scored -3
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill requires donors to disclose private meetings and communications with government officials.
- Scored -2
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
The bill imposes strict Congressional approval requirements on donations from foreign governments.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Prevention of Corruption: The bill restricts donations from people seeking government contracts, grants, pardons, or federal positions to prevent undue influence (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
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Increased Transparency: It requires the publication of quarterly reports in the Federal Register detailing donations, including the identity of contributors of more than $200 (Section 2(d)(2)).
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Accountability for Meetings: Donors must disclose meetings or communications with high-ranking officials that occur within one year of a donation, providing a clearer picture of potential influence (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Protection of Public Integrity: The act prohibits donations that include conditions for receiving government benefits or that appear to influence the performance of executive branch responsibilities (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
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Strict Oversight: It requires written determinations from the Director of the National Park Service and the Director of the Office of Government Ethics before a donation can be used (Section 2(b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Lobbying: A person making a donation is prohibited from engaging in any lobbying activities directed at executive branch officers for a 2-year period following the donation (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Burden of Disclosure: Individuals making donations must disclose meetings or communications with certain officials, which may require tracking and reporting specific topics and dates (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Financial Penalties: Violators of the act face significant civil penalties, which can be up to $100,000 or the aggregate value of the donations, and may be required to disgorge benefits (Section 2(e)(5)).
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Criminal Consequences: Individuals who knowingly and willfully violate these provisions can face imprisonment for up to one year, or up to five years for larger violations (Section 2(e)(5)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill enhances integrity and oversight for maintenance and construction on significant federal public lands.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates quarterly publication of donation details in the Federal Register and requires disclosure of communications with officials. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill requires donors to disclose private meetings and communications with government officials.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill increases transparency regarding political influence and potential conflicts of interest involving federal government business.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill restricts the influence of those seeking government contracts or grants, which may protect fair competition. Would high-income households be better off under this? — The bill imposes significant restrictions, disclosure requirements, and lobbying bans on high-value donors.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill imposes strict Congressional approval requirements on donations from foreign governments.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill imposes strict criminal and civil penalties for violations related to public property donations.
- 12/8/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 11/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland